The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone of their war of words, further raising tensions in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Accusations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the US president suggested analogous military action towards the South American nation, claiming the nation faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures from across Colombian politics have denounced the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
The US cancelled his travel authorization following he called on US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
